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Around SBN: Which Players Will Join The 3,000-Hit Club?

Brian Giles Added to the Dodgers NRI List

Per Ken Gurnick's tweet, The Dodgers have signed Brian Giles to a minor-league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.  Giles has a career line of:

.291 /     .400  /    .502  /    .902,      136 OPS+

but is coming off a horrendous 2009 season of:

.191      .277  /    .271  /    .548,    55.

Like most hitters, Giles, who turned 39 two weeks ago, seems to see his offense suppressed by Petco Park's pitcher-pleasing properties.  For the last three seasons:

Petco Park: .253/.359/.353, 6 HR in 707 PA
On Road: .290/.366/.458, 21 HR in 751 PA

According to UZR as defined at fangraphs.com, Giles has been an average corner OF defensively for his career, but his slump extended to defense as well with an UZR/150 of -18.9 in 2009.  Admittedly, he was dealing with injuries last year.  He is a left-handed hitting outfielder with some power, something that the Dodgers were reportedly looking for.  Perhaps he will challenge Doug Man, Mientki, Minky, er, Eye Chart for the left-handed bench bat job.  He is the second Brian Giles (no relation, though both played high school ball in San Diego County) to play major league baseball.

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Kudos

to the person who saw him working out at Dodger Stadium a week or so ago while visiting.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Feb 7, 2010 2:01 AM PST reply actions  

A commenter by the name of Ryan Francis. Not sure if that’s his real name, or whether he used the name of the USC PG who was slain a few years ago.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 8:39 AM PST via mobile up reply actions  

um why?

if he stays with the team… does that mean there is no way mencawich stays?

by matthewmafa on Feb 7, 2010 2:28 AM PST reply actions  

I would imagine the role of LH PH is between Giles and Mientkiewicz.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 2:49 AM PST via mobile up reply actions  

Kudos to the Dodgers

for making a can’t sleep check of Twitter eventful!

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 2:51 AM PST via mobile reply actions  

From a baseball standpoint, I’m OK with the Giles signing. If he’s healthy, he will be a good hitter off the bench and provide the LH power we need. He has been suppressed by Petco for years. Of course, health is a big question mark. I guess we’ll find out next month.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 3:20 AM PST via mobile reply actions  

Brian Giles 2007-2009

Petco Park: .253/.359/.353, 6 HR in 707 PA
On Road: .290/.366/.458, 21 HR in 751 PA

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 3:42 AM PST reply actions  

Both Brian Giles went to high school in San Diego county. Current BG went to Granite Hills in El Cajon, and the old 2B went to Kearny.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 3:43 AM PST reply actions  

Should, if healthy, be the best of the bunch as left handed PH..Can he still play effectively at all three OF positions? In the past, the answer would be yes. But now ?, i’d be very happy if the answer is still yes….

by Bluetrain on Feb 7, 2010 5:02 AM PST reply actions  

You have to go back to 2001 to find him spending significant time in CF. The last time he filled in their more than a few innings for the season is 2005. At 39-years old, I would doubt he can play the position well enough to make Torre feel comfortable giving him even the three ;) starts Kemp won’t make.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Feb 7, 2010 8:08 AM PST up reply actions  

Updated with some of the info and refinements mentioned above.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Feb 7, 2010 8:05 AM PST reply actions  

Well

he did refuse to be traded to the Bosox, so there’s that.

by Bob Hendley on Feb 7, 2010 8:11 AM PST reply actions  

seriously people, he’s 39 O.F. blow avg defender and hitter—-woot woot.

by Jaydavis on Feb 7, 2010 8:19 AM PST via mobile reply actions  

Like I said, his right knee will determine things. If he’s healthy, he isn’t a below average hitter.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 8:29 AM PST via mobile up reply actions  

Buster Olney says it’s for $550k plus $200k in incentives. I’m trying to track down more info from Giles’ agent.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 8:27 AM PST via mobile reply actions  

He’s going to make the team if he shows any signs of life in spring. Potentially the only power hitting pinch hitter we have.

Starters (8):

Martin
Loney
Belliard
Furcal
Blake
Ramirez
Kemp
Ethier

Bench (5):

Ausmus
Carroll
Giles
Johnson
Eye Chart OR Backup SS

Starters (5):

Kershaw
Billingsley
Kuroda
Padilla
Elbert (returned to AAA if he doesn’t win spot)

Bullpen (7):

Broxton
Kuo
Sherrill
Troncoso
Belisario
McDonald (if he wins 5th spot, put NRI here, possibly Lindblom)
Weaver

by silverwidow on Feb 7, 2010 8:41 AM PST reply actions  

What would be weird is if Giles is added to the roster at the expense of Eric Stults, who is out of options. They are represented by the same agent.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions  

Pirates History

Highest OPS+ (minimum 1000 PA)
Ed Smartwood 168 OPS+ (played from 1882-92)
Brian Giles 158
Ralph Kiner 157
Honus Wagner 154
Barry Bonds 147
Willie Stargell 147
Jake Stenzel 147
Arky Vaughan 141

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 9:13 AM PST reply actions  

Kind of anticlimactic, but the Dodgers have confirmed the Giles signing this morning.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 9:16 AM PST reply actions  

Move it fifty miles inland.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Feb 7, 2010 9:17 AM PST up reply actions  

The easiest way is to probably move in the fences, or maybe mess with the mound (downward). Other than that, I don’t know but I like Dave’s suggestion :)

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 9:19 AM PST up reply actions  

They did move in the fences at Jack Murphy after some time there.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Feb 7, 2010 9:21 AM PST up reply actions  

The air is so moist; there’s nothing you can do.

by silverwidow on Feb 7, 2010 9:20 AM PST up reply actions  

$200k incentives

Giles has the same deal as Mientkiewicz…$550k plus $200k in incentives:

$25,000 for 150 PA
$25,000 for 200 PA
$50,000 for 250 PA
$50,000 for 300 PA
$50,000 for 350 PA

Also, I got some quotes from Brian Giles’ agent. I will have a new post up in a few minutes.

by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 9:41 AM PST reply actions  

You are the man.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Feb 7, 2010 9:45 AM PST up reply actions  

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2012 Dodgers Payroll

Italics denote estimates
Pos No Player 2012 Salary
C 17 Ellis $500,000 team control
1B 7 Loney $6,375,000
2B 14 Ellis $2,500,000
3B 5 Uribe $8,000,000
SS 9 Gordon $485,000 team control
LF 21 Rivera $4,000,000
CF 27 Kemp $10,000,000
RF 16 Ethier $10,950,000

IF/OF 6 Hairston $2,250,000
OF 10 Gwynn $850,000
2B/3B 3 Kennedy $800,000
C 18 Treanor $850,000
IF 12 Sellers $485,000 team control

SP 22 Kershaw $8,500,000 arb
SP 58 Billingsley $9,000,000
SP 29 Lilly $12,000,000
SP 37 Capuano $3,000,000
SP 44
Harang $3,000,000

CL 54 Guerra $485,000 team control
RHP 74
Jansen $500,000 team control
RHP 55 Guerrier $4,750,000
RHP Coffey $1,000,000
RHP 66 MacDougal $650,000
LHP 57 Elbert $485,000 team control
RHP 36
Hawksworth $500,000 team control

TJ 41 De La Rosa $485,000 team control



Manny $8,087,432 deferred


Andruw $3,375,000 deferred


Pierre $3,050,000 deferred
Furcal $3,000,000 deferred
Kuroda $2,000,000 deferred
Garland $1,500,000 option buyout
Blake $1,250,000 option buyout

Totals
$114,662,432

For more detailed information, click here.

Players on 40-man roster used as roster
fillers until moves are made.

Current 40-man roster count: 40
(not including Belisario)

2012 Non-Roster Invitees

No Player Age*
63 Jose Ascanio rhp
27
61 Alberto Castillo lhp
36
60 Matt Chico lhp
29
35 John Grabow lhp
33
59 Angel Guzman rhp
30
47 Wil Ledezma lhp
31
72 Shane Lindsay rhp
27
62 Fernando Nieve rhp 29
73 Scott Rice lhp 30
70 Will Savage rhp
27
71 Ryan Tucker rhp
25

30 Josh Bard c 34
82 Griff Erickson c 24
81 Matt Wallachc 26
67 Jeff Baisley 3b/1b 29
62 Luis Cruz ss/2b 28
33 Josh Fields 3b 29
64 Lance Zawadzki if 27
56 Cory Sullivan of 32

*Age on June 30, 2012

NRI count: 19

For more info, click here.


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